Mechanism for operating tapping-bars



(No Model.)

H. AIKEN. MECHANISM FOR OPERATING TAPPING'BARS.

No. 439,924. Patented Nov. 4, 1890 NdE W Mam/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY AIKEN, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

MECHANISM FOR OPERATING TAPPlNG-BARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,924, dated November 4, 1890.

Application filed November 16, 1889. Serial No. 330,549. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY AIKEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered a certain new and useful Improvement in Mechanism for Operating Tapping-Bars, of which improvement the following is a specification.

The invention described herein relates to certain improvements in apparatus for tapping open-hearth and other furnaces. In preparing open-hearth furnaces for a charge or melt the bottom or hearth of the furnace is leveled off with sand or dolomite, dependent upon the treatment to which the metal is to be subjectedt'. a, acid or basic-and the tap-hole is closed with dampened sand or dolomite mixed with tar. In tapping the furnace the loose friable material in the outer portion of the tap-hole is scraped away, leaving only a tenacious semi-plastic substance, composed of sand or dolomite, more or less fused, and cinder and molten metal at the inner end of the taphole. The tapping-bar, which is provided with a head or enlargement at its inner or operative end, is then placed in position, the head lying in the tapping-hole and the outer portion being supported by a guide lying on the runner or trough. The dolly, a sort of battering-ram suspended by a chain from a suitableoverhead support, is then driven against the tapping-bar by two or more men standing close alongside of the trough. The tapping-bar must be withdrawn after breaking through the dam without any delay, as the molten metal is liable to bleed in around the bar and, chilling thereon, render the removal of the bar very difficult. The molten metal follows the tapping-bar as it is removed from the tapping-hole in a stream four or five inches in diameter, thus rendering any further work-such as the removal of the dollyvery dangerous, and allowing very little time for the workman to get out of the way. It is not an uncommon occurrence for the workman to have his clothes set on fire before he can get away.

It is essential in open-hearth practice that the furnace should be tapped as quick as pos sible after the addition of the manganese, and it is also necessary that the metal should flow intothe ladle with such rapidity as to prevent any chilling thereof around the ladle-stopper; but it will be readily understood from the foregoing that these objects cannot always be attained with the appliances now employed, and that the use of such appliances is at all times attended with great danger to the workman.

The object of this invention is to provide means whereby the tapping-bar may be easily forced through the dam closing the tap-hole, and may be withdrawn without the slightest delay, and in such manner as to completely tear away the dam, so as to permit a full and free flow of the molten metal; and it is a further object of this invention to provide for the removal of this dam without any danger to the men working around the furnace.

The invention claimed is hereinafter more fully and clearly described.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,Figure 1 is a sectional view of a portion showing the tapping-hole, ladle-pit, and my improved tapping apparatus. Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5 are sectional detail views on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a modified form of tapping apparatus.

In front of the furnace A and in line with the tap-hole 1 thereof is arranged a fluidpressure cylinder 2, provided with a pistonrod 3, projecting through one end of the cylinder and supported near its outer end by a tubular guide 4. The cylinder and guide are firmly secured to suitable supports, in the present case to the floor-plates of the mill, adjacent to the ladle-pit B. On the outer end of the piston-rod 3 is placed a collar or sleeve 5, held in position by a key 6 passing through the sleeve and rod, as shown in Fig. 2, and on this collar is formeda pin 7,having a head or enlargement on its outer end to prevent an accidental displacement of the tapping-bar 8. This bar, which, as regards its operative portion, is similar'in construction to bars now in use, is provided at its outer end with an eye 9, adapted to fit over the pin 7. In order to prevent any rotation of the rod and consequent disengagement of the bar from the pin 7, a longitudinal groove 10 is formed in the rod, and a key 11, engaging said groove, is attached to the guide 4, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In using my improved apparatus a strap 12,

provided with a guide-loop 13, is placed across the trough 14 at a distance from the tap-hole at least equal to the stroke of the piston of the cylinder 2. The tapping-bar is then placed in position, the eye being placed over the pin 7, and the outer portion supported by the strap 12. Fluid-pressure is now admitted to the cylinder, which is connected at its ends by pipes to a suitable valve mechanism, (not shown,) thereby forcing the tapping-bar through the dam in the tapping-hole 1, from which the friable material has been previously scraped. A steady continuous pressure may be applied to the tapping-bar, or by a proper manipulation of the valve mechanism a number of powerful blows may be struck against the plug or dam, the bar operating as a drill.

It will be readily understood that in case the bar sticks in the tapping-hole great power can be quickly applied to remove the bar, so as to tear away the dam and open the taphole.

While preferring to employ a fluid-pressure cylinder, as hereinbefore described, any other suitable power mechanism-as, for example, a rack-bar 15, intermeshing with a pinion 16 may be employed, as shown in Fig. 6. The pinion is mounted on a vertical shaft 17, journaled in suitable bearings and provided with a head 18, having holes for the insertion of bars, whereby the pinion may be rotated to reciprocate the rack-bar, to which the tapping-bar is connected in the same manner as to the piston-rod 3, or in any other suitable manner.

detachably connected with the tapping'bar and constructed to force the tapping-bar in through the tapping-hole of the furnace and to withdraw it therefrom, substantially as set forth.

2. In an apparatus for tapping furnaces, the combination of a fluid-pressure cylinder and a tapping-bar detachably connected to the piston of said cylinder, whereby the tapping-bar may be forced through and withdrawn from the tapping-hole of the furnace, substantially as set forth. 7

3. In combination with a furnace, a fluidpressure cylinder arranged in line or approximately in line with the tapping-hole of said furnace, and a tapping-bar detachably connected to the piston-rod of said cylinder, substantially as set forth.

4:- In combination with a furnace, a fluidpressure cylinder arranged in line or approximately in line with the tapping-hole of said furnace,a tubular guide provided with a key engaging a groove in the piston-rod of said cylinder, and a tapping-bar detach-ably connected vto said rod, substantially as setforth.

5. In combination with a furnace, a fiuidpressure cylinder, a collar provided with a headed pin, attached to the piston-rod of said cylinder, and a tapping-bar provided with an eye for engagement with said pin, substantially as set forth. 7

6. In combination with a furnace, a fluidpressure cylinder, a tapping-bar detachably connected to the piston-rod of said cylinder, and a strap provided with a loop for support- Wh1le l have shown and described my device as applied to an open-hearth furnace, it can as readily be applied to other classes or kinds of furnaces.

I claim herein as my invention- 1. In an apparatus for tapping furnaces, the combination of a tapping-bar and power mechanism having a reciprocating member mg and guiding the operative endof the tapping-bar, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HENRY AIKEN. Witnesses:

DARWIN S. WoLooTT, R. H. WHIrrLEsEY. 

